The International Committee of the
All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union
Commission, AU, mourn the death of Papa Wemba, real name Jules Shungu Wembadio
Pene Kikumba.

The iconic musician from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in Abidjan, Côte
d'Ivoire, during the FEMUA urban music festival on Sunday April 24, 2016. He
was 66.

Papa Wemba was considered an African icon and world music star after fusing his
Central African musical heritage with Western pop, rock and rap. He pioneered a
blend of African, Cuban and Western sounds, which became one of Africa's most
popular music styles. This earned him the nickname "King of Rhumba
Rock". Besides his musical influence, Wemba popularised Sapeur fashion, an
eccentric look with three-piece suits, shiny black leather shoes and flashy
accessories.

Reacting to the death of Papa Wemba, President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA,
Mr Mike Dada said: "At AFRIMA, we feel a sense of humongous loss since the
announcement of the death of Papa Wemba. This is the time we at AFRIMA and
Africa at large need him the most. He was one of the African music legends that
had shown interest in attending AFRIMA 3.0 in November this year. He was a
voice of Africa, an icon of African music and epitome of Africanness. His pride
and commitment to African music and sense of dressing were part of the
narratives of African culture. These are the African narratives we shared and
are propagating across the world."

Dada said further: "The International Committee of AFRIMA recognises the
role of African legends, dead or alive, in music, culture and entertainment. In
2014, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was honoured with a Posthumous Legendary
award for his contribution to the narratives of Africa while Ladysmith Black
Mambazo from South Africa won the award at the 2015 edition in Lagos, which
coincided with the group’s 55th anniversary of telling the African story
worldwide."

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA is a project developed
to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical culture of Africa, stimulate
conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the world about
the great potentials and values of African culture and artistic heritage, for
the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, and calling attention of world
leaders to Africa as well as promoting the positive image of Africa to the
world.